Martha (Wight) Harlan (1873 - 1943)

Born 19 Apr 1873 in Contra Costa County, California, United States

Died 20 Jan 1943 at age 69 in Martinez, Contra Costa County, California, United States

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Biography

Martha was born in 1873. She passed away in 1943.

Buried in Chapel of Memories Columbarium, Oakland, Alameda County, California, USA; PLOT: Laurel, A-1-9. She is inurned with a sister-in-law (Mary Harlan Llewellyn), a sister-in-law (Helene Harlan Osborn) and her husband (Frederick Fowler Harlan.)

Obituary: Contra Costa Gazette (Martinez, California) January 21, 1943 (Thursday)

"DEATH ENDS CAREER OF MRS. HARLAN. Mrs. Martha Louise Harlan, sister of City Attorney Ralph H. Wight of Martinez, died last night in Community Hospital of heart disease. She was 69.

Her death closed a colorful chapter in the history of one of Contra Costa's most distinguished families. Mrs. Harlan was the daughter of the late Charles Nathan and Sarah Huntington Wight who came to Contra Costa in 1853 and settled in New York Valley, present site of the Shell Chemical plant at Black Diamond.

Her father was a native of New York, while her mother was born in Maine.

Mrs. Harlan's husband, Frederick Fowler Harlan, died October 22 at the age of 76. They had been married 22 years. Until she was sticken recently, Mrs. Harlan made her home in Danville.

Mrs. Harlan was graduated from San Jose Normal School in 1892 Her teaching career extended over a 35-year period. Her last post was at Ambrose, the old Bay Point school, where she was principal before her retirement. Mrs. Harlan had taght at San Ramon and Pleasant Hill in Contra Costa and at Goodyear's Bar in Sierra County.

Survivors besides her brother here are two other brothers, Charles H. Wight of Antioch and A.R. Wight of Santa Rosa, and a sister, Mrs. Helen C. Turner of Downieville; two nieces, Mrs. George Crispin of Martinez and Mrs. Frank Vargo of Antioch, seven other nieces and nephews and seven grand nieces and grand nephews.

Martinez City Council last night adjourned out of respect to the memory of Mrs. Harlan.

Mrs. Harlan's body is at the Scott & Greene Chapel. The funeral cortege will leave the local chapel at noon Saturday and cremation will follow at 2 p.m. in Oakland Crematory at Howe and Mather streets." [Previous obituary was on front page. Following death notice was on another page in the same issue.]

"VITAL STATISTICS. DIED. HARLAN - In Martinez, January 20, 1943, Martha Louise Harlan, aged 69 years. Beloved sister of Ralph H. Wight of Martinez, Charles H. Wight of Antioch, A.R. Wight of Santa Rosa, Mrs. Helen C. Turner of Downieville, California. Funeral services will be held at the Oakland Crematory, Howe and Mather Streets, Oakland, on Saturday, January 23, 1943 at the [sic] 2 p.m. The body will be at the Scott and Greene chapel until noon Saturday." END

Sources

• Findagrave.com Memorial #26761742.